Post on 19-Jan-2016
BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITYTerm first used in 1988 by
Edward O. WilsonBio= lifeDiversity= difference or varietyBiodiversity= variety of life
Types of BiodiversityTypes of BiodiversityDiversity of ecosystems in
biosphere- Deserts, rainforests, prairies, etc.- On land, biodiversity decreases as you approach the poles
Diversity of species in ecosystems- plants, animals, fungi, bacteria protists and archaebacteria
Diversity of genes within a species- eye color in humans, coat color in wolves
ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITYECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY
SPECIES BIODIVERSITYSPECIES BIODIVERSITY
Scientists
believe 50-
90% of all
species on
earth are
found in
tropical
rainforests!
More species = more biodiversity. More species in an ecosystem means more pathways for energy to flow through the ecosystem. This makes the ecosystem strong. Fewer pathways for energy flow make the ecosystem vulnerable.
15 species 5 species
DIVERSE FOOD WEB SIMPLE FOOD WEB
HOW SPECIES RICHNESS AFFECTS ECOSYSTEM STABILITY
GENETIC BIODIVERSITYGENETIC BIODIVERSITYEach individual
within a population has a unique genetic make-up
Variation in traits helps to ensure at least part of the population will survive
Loss of genetic diversity can leave a population vulnerable to environmental changes
HUMAN IMPACT ON HUMAN IMPACT ON BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY
Environmental impacts◦Pollution, desertification, etc.
Habitat loss◦But we NEED another Starbucks
store!Artificial selection and genetic engineering
WHAT CAN YOU DO?WHAT CAN YOU DO?Reduce what you consumeReuse when possibleRecycle when necessaryPreserve habitatsProtect diversity!